Oberlin College

Overview

Founded: 1833

Control Type: Private

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #3761

Rank in United States: #405

Motto: Learning and Labor

Colours: Cardinal red and mikado yellow

Established in 1833, the Oberlin College is a non-profit private liberal arts higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium town of Oberlin (population range of 2,500-9,999 inhabitants), Ohio.

Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Oberlin College is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Oberlin College offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study.

This 190-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 30-39% making this US higher education organization a very selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

Oberlin College also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Oberlin College's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Oberlin College: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.

Academic Structures

Oberlin College's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.

Programs Offered

Below are Oberlin College's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.

How to apply to Oberlin College

Below is a five-step path through the application process at Oberlin College, useful for first-time applicants and international students.

1. 1
   Research programmes at Oberlin College

   Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Oberlin College offers 39 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

2. 2
   Review admissions criteria

   Each programme at Oberlin College has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

3. 3
   Gather supporting documents

   Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

4. 4
   Lodge your application

   Apply directly via Oberlin College's online portal at www.oberlin.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

5. 5
   Confirm receipt and track progress

   After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (440) 775 8411. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Oberlin College

Common questions students ask about Oberlin College — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

the United States's leading universities appear below, useful for benchmarking Oberlin College's academic standing. Use this list as the upper-bound reference for academic prestige within the United States.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Universities sharing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) affiliation with Oberlin College offer comparable mobility and recognition benefits. Affiliated institutions often coordinate on academic standards and credit-transfer pathways.

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg · Public · Rank #21

Cornell University

Ithaca · Private · Rank #25

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

Duke University

Durham · Private · Rank #48

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Climate and seasonal factors apply consistently across universities near Oberlin College, but campus altitude or coastline exposure can shift the experience meaningfully even within a cluster.

Tulane University

New Orleans · Private · Rank #545

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge · Public · Rank #575

Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans · Private · Rank #1342

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

New Orleans · Public · Rank #1411

Louisiana State University in Shreveport

Shreveport · Public · Rank #1460

Where Else to Study Social & Cultural Studies

Capstone publication or portfolio output from Social & Cultural Studies programmes affects what you graduate with. Some the United States institutions retain student work; others publish it as part of programme outputs.

Adler University

Chicago · Private · Rank #32

University of Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #53

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill · Public · Rank #60

Northwestern University

Evanston · Private · Rank #63

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis · Public · Rank #70

Universities Often Compared with Oberlin College

Mid-career outcome data (5–10 year post-graduation) is harder to source but more revealing than starting-salary data. Where available for peer institutions, it is worth comparing.

BA

Bay Atlantic University

Washington · Rank #3767

Colgate University

Hamilton · Private · Rank #3754

Allen University

Columbia · Private · Rank #3748

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Blacksburg · Private · Rank #3744

Grand Valley State University

Allendale · Public · Rank #3783